The Trekking Pawns' Diary

As self-proclaimed foodies, we’ve been on a mission to try a little bit of everything aboard the NCL Getaway. From Garden Café’s international buffet spreads to the sit-down classics at Taste, Savor, and The Manhattan Room, we've sampled plenty—and yes, we’ve been known to sneak a bite (or five) of every Indian dish we could find. But one spot we’ve been eyeing all week is the elegant and oh-so-French Le Bistro , one of Norwegian’s signature specialty restaurants. Le Bistro exudes Parisian charm. We passed by the entrance several times and each time, the cozy, romantic vibe and the mouthwatering menu posted outside called out to us like a French siren song. Rich wood accents, ornate chandeliers, and velvet chairs—it's giving bougie bistro meets the high seas , and we are totally here for it. Now, specialty restaurants like Le Bistro do require reservations (pro tip: book them early either online or through the NCL app to secure your preferred time). We get one specialty dini...

  ( Dessert Disappointment: The Crème Brûlée Letdown One dessert we were excited to try  at the sit downs was the crème brûlée (imaged) , but unfortunately, it didn’t live up to our expectations. While it looked beautifully presented, it was too cold when eating , which took away from the rich, creamy texture we were hoping for. Not exactly the decadent finish we wanted to our meal!) --- Dining Aboard the NCL Getaway: A Culinary Adventure One of our favorite things about cruising is the food, and we were excited to explore and compare the different dining experiences aboard the NCL Getaway . With so many options, from complimentary sit-down restaurants to the ever-popular buffet, we made it a mission to try as much as we could. Complimentary Dining: Savor, Taste, and The Manhattan Room Included with boarding are three main complimentary sit-down restaurants: Savor, Taste, and The Manhattan Room . These restaurants serve the same menu each night, with classic entrees availab...

Ahoy, fellow travelers! We recently embarked on the Norwegian Cruise Line's (NCL) Getaway, and what an adventure it has been so far. From the moment we stepped aboard, the ship's vibrant energy and welcoming atmosphere set the tone for an unforgettable journey.​ First Impressions and Exploration Upon boarding, our excitement led us to explore the ship's many offerings. The Getaway boasts 18 decks, with 14 accessible to passengers, housing a myriad of amenities and activities. We were particularly impressed by the 27 dining options and 22 bars and lounges available . The layout felt familiar, reminiscent of our previous voyage on the NCL Encore to Alaska. Key areas such as the restaurants, buffet, casino, and the exclusive Haven area were situated similarly, making navigation a breeze. ​ CruiseMapper +1 cruisebrothers.com +1 Welcome Aboard Event Our evening kicked off with the "Welcome Aboard" event, where Cruise Director Emma greeted all guests with infec...

Our upcoming cruise adventure has us dreaming about all the incredible activities we can pack into our day at Roatan, Honduras. One thing we know for sure: we want to zipline through the lush jungle canopies of this gorgeous island. (Disclaimer: Some of the links on here are affiliate links and I may earn if you click or buy on them, AT NO EXTRA cost to you. Hope you find the information here useful! Thanks.)  From our past cruise experience, we’ve learned that as soon as you step off the ship, you’re met with a flurry of vendors eager to book you on an excursion. While these offers can be tempting, we like to do our homework in advance to ensure we’re making the most of our precious time in port. Photo: GoogleMaps Our Plan for Roatan After our glass-bottom boat tour , which we booked through GetYourGuide , we’re hoping to squeeze in a ziplining adventure before heading back to the ship. Luckily, we found two incredible options that are both close to the cruise terminal and promise...

As we prepare for our upcoming cruise, one of the most anticipated stops on our itinerary is Cozumel, Mexico. While there are countless ways to spend a day in this vibrant port, we decided to take a step back in time and visit the world-famous Tulum Mayan Ruins. After doing some research and weighing our options, we ultimately booked the excursion through the cruise line, and here’s why. (Disclaimer: Some of the links on here are affiliate links and I may earn if you click or buy on them, AT NO EXTRA cost to you. Hope you find the information here useful! Thanks.)  ( Photo: Getyourguide  Things to do in Tulum ) The Excursion: Tulum Mayan Ruins The cruise line excursion to the Tulum Mayan Ruins is advertised as a seamless way to experience one of the most iconic archaeological sites in the world. The tour includes: A 45-minute ferry ride from Cozumel to Playa del Carmen. A 1-hour air-conditioned bus ride to the ruins. A guided tour of the walled city, showcasing restored temp...

Hello, fellow wanderers! The Trekking Pawns here, and we’re officially in the countdown to our next cruise adventure. As we get closer to setting sail, we’re diving into planning how to best use our time at each port. After our first cruise experience in Alaska, we learned a few valuable lessons that are guiding our approach this time around. (Disclaimer: Some of the links on here are affiliate links and I may earn if you click or buy on them, AT NO EXTRA cost to you. Hope you find the information here useful! Thanks.)  On that Alaskan cruise, we discovered that port days could be a mixed bag. Some stops were magical, but others left us wandering aimlessly, feeling like we didn’t make the most of our limited time. That’s why, for this trip, we’re determined to go in with a solid plan—especially since the places we’ll be visiting are entirely new to us, and let’s be honest, we’re not likely to revisit them individually anytime soon. The Dilemma: Cruise-Booked Excursions vs. DIY Opti...